2024 Dealer Design Awards: Electronic Tools

The Gold winner in the electronic tools category is a wireless, digital vacuum gauge that was designed to measure vacuum in an air conditioning and refrigeration system to ensure air, moisture, and other non-condensables are removed before refrigerant charging.

HVAC technician Jeff DeMassari, when asked, didn’t mince any words, saying this is the best vacuum gauge he’s ever used.

“I’ve used ‘knock-off’ ones in the past, and they don’t even compare to this one, honestly,” DeMassari said. “JB, since I started in this trade 12 years ago, has been superior — everything they come out with is always better.”

The gauge is very accurate and uses MEMs sensor technology to measure vacuum in a very deep range. Even though the gauge is wireless and designed to communicate via Bluetooth to an app, it also has a screen so it can be used stand-alone.

DeMassari said when paired with JB Industries’ app, it makes things even more simple.

“You put your micron gauge to it, and you can go take lunch and you can be checking your vacuum the entire time you’re on your break,” DeMassari said. “I think it’s the greatest thing — it’s an absolute timesaver.”

Most technicians have a single-micron gauge, and if it is unreliable or not working, they are stuck. The DV-22W has a replaceable sensor, so a technician could simply replace the sensor and be up and running again in a minute. The sensor body itself is calibrated, so it only needs to be plugged into the display and locked in place to basically provide a brand-new gauge.

“Common analog gauges that have been used for years are not accurate enough to measure a complete evacuation,” David Madden, director of engineering and manufacturing at JB Industries, said. “Though digital vacuum gauges have been out for years, contamination can either damage or cause inaccurate readings. JB’s DV-22W gauge addresses those concerns with an easily replaceable filter, the ability to take the fitting apart to clean more easily, and also provide a replaceable sensor, if necessary.”

The DV-22W also comes with 10 additional filters that are very easy to replace. This will prevent the sensor from contamination in the first place. The rotating screen also is a big plus, as technicians invariably have to tilt their heads for a good look. With the DV-22W, they can let the screen rotate instead.

The OLED display can be oriented in four different positions so that the gauge can be easily read regardless of where it is connected. Vacuum gauge sensors need to be kept clean to work properly, so JB has innovated multiple features to mitigate this problem. The DV-22W has a filter in line to protect the sensor. The sensor is also replaceable and can be either cleaned or replaced by removing the sensor for the housing.

As far as maintenance goes, DeMassari said it’s plug-and-play and agreed that cleanup is super easy.

One of the contest’s judges said they loved how the display can be changed so it can be read in any position.

“I like that they took the time to make this user-friendly and very easy to clean and change the filter,” the judge wrote. “Techs will like the small size and ease of use.”

NAVAC NR7 Recovery Unit is a compact, efficient, and A2L-compatible recovery unit. This lightweight unit, at just 20.3 pounds, offers HVAC professionals easy storage and transportation solutions. NR7 features a twin-cylinder structure for rapid refrigerant recovery and a brushless DC motor, enhancing both efficiency and A2L refrigerant compatibility. Its oil-free compressor is versatile, accommodating a wide range of common refrigerants. Additionally, NR7’s purge function eliminates the risk of refrigerant mixing, ensuring smooth operation. It also features a large, three-row condenser equipped with extra-dense fins, designed for quick heat dispersion from the refrigerant, further enhancing the system efficiency.

Moreover, NR7 has CSA safety certification, providing technicians peace of mind with full-tank, overload, and high-pressure protection. Boasting an efficient design, twin-cylinder system, and one-key operation, NR7 is a great choice for quick and reliable refrigerant recoveries.

The Yellow Jacket Yjack Flo measures and displays duct air speed readings and automatically calculates the quantity and location of readings in ducts and meets AHRI standards. Yjack Flow takes accurate airflow measurements up to 30 m/s, measuring the entire duct flow to account for turbulence or completes a single-line air flow for fast duct-to-duct flow comparisons.

The Yjack Flow Anemometer provides ultimate measurements of air speed and air flow with Bluetooth capability for sending results to the Yjack View app to record service call results. It also features a flexible magnet mount that secures the probe in a duct for hands-free monitoring, and interchangeable telescoping wands: 18-inch (included) and can easily change to 36-inch (optional) for large ducts, which never need calibrating.